https://www.rferl.org/z/23337 RFE/RL's latest news, features, commentary, and multimedia content on Lebanon, Israel, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iraq. https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org/z/23337 en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:30:49 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain this week on his first official visit to the Gulf since the outbreak of the Iran war and just days after Washington and Tehran signed a framework agreement aimed at bring peace to the region. https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-gulf-us-iran-framework-hormuz/33786331.html https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-gulf-us-iran-framework-hormuz/33786331.html Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:02:04 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East Vice President JD Vance said "good progress" was made in negotiations on a framework toward reaching a final peace deal within 60 days, including the guarantee of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, an end to fighting in Lebanon, and Tehran's acceptance of visits by IAEA inspectors. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-united-states-burgenstock-roadmap-war/33786170.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-united-states-burgenstock-roadmap-war/33786170.html Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:16:39 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East High-level talks are now under way between US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian representatives at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland, launching what could become the most consequential diplomatic effort yet to stabilize the Middle East after near four months of war. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-talks-switzerland-hormuz/33785567.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-talks-switzerland-hormuz/33785567.html Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:26:41 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East Israeli strikes have killed dozens in south Lebanon despite the US-Iran memorandum's first clause calling for an end to the war there. Tehran is facing a rising chorus from hard-liners demanding a response. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-lebanon-israel-war-us-agreement-pressure/33785116.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-lebanon-israel-war-us-agreement-pressure/33785116.html Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:16:43 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East The Iran framework agreement gave an immediate boost to markets, with shares rising and oil prices dipping. But whether this translates into durable economic gains will largely depend on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-hormuz-shipping-revival-trump/33783948.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-hormuz-shipping-revival-trump/33783948.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:13:29 +0200 News AnalysisFeaturesIranThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East While the U.S. and Iran have reached a historic agreement to restore stability in the Strait of Hormuz, the path to a full global energy recovery is dangerously lopsided https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-energy-prices/33783923.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-energy-prices/33783923.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:12:51 +0200 IranThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East The US-Iranian deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is inevitably being compared with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed with Tehran by then US President Barack Obama. So how do they stand apart? https://www.rferl.org/a/obama-iran-deal-trump-agreement/33783735.html https://www.rferl.org/a/obama-iran-deal-trump-agreement/33783735.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:33:06 +0200 News AnalysisFeaturesIranThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East US President Donald Trump said the United States could resume military action against Iran if he is dissatisfied with the implementation of the memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-us-iran-deal-talks/33783001.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-us-iran-deal-talks/33783001.html Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:41:02 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East US President Donald Trump said a framework agreement to be signed with Iran this week makes it "loud and clear" that Tehran will not develop or acquire nuclear weapons as the two sides try to move toward ending their war. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-deal-iran-nuclear-weapons/33782189.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-deal-iran-nuclear-weapons/33782189.html Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:38:48 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East Iranians say they have been warned by security officials not to speak to US-funded Persian-language media, such as RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, amid a crackdown in which the Iranian authorities say they have charged increasing numbers with espionage for “cooperation with the enemy.” https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fear-crackdown-protests-dissent-media/33781430.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-fear-crackdown-protests-dissent-media/33781430.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:32:46 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East The United States and Iran have electronically signed a framework deal to end the three-month-long war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, senior US administration officials said on June 15. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-peace-agreement-pakistan-israel-lebanon/33780270.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-peace-agreement-pakistan-israel-lebanon/33780270.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:40:12 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East Qatari negotiators flew to Tehran early on June 14 in a bid to finalize an agreement between the United States and Iran to end the monthslong conflict, but renewed Israeli attacks on Iran's ally Hezbollah in Lebanon earlier the same day could potentially delay the signature. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-qalibaf-trump-qatar/33780190.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-deal-qalibaf-trump-qatar/33780190.html Sun, 14 Jun 2026 16:25:55 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East Matt Reisener, senior national-security adviser at the Center for Maritime Strategy, talks to RFE/RL about why diplomacy and military pressure are likely to continue, what Iran and the United States each believes it has to gain from talks, and why any agreement may actually hinge on Israel. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-war-israel-us-maritime-security-reisener/33778403.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-war-israel-us-maritime-security-reisener/33778403.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:50:35 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East US President Donald Trump claimed that a “great settlement” has been reached with Iran to end the Middle East war and that the agreement could be signed as early as this weekend, perhaps in Europe, with the US vice president attending the session. https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-strikes-trump-hormuz-escalation/33778143.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-strikes-trump-hormuz-escalation/33778143.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:46:59 +0200 IranNewsMiddle East President Donald Trump said the ⁠United States is going to attack Iran “very hard” if a deal aimed at ending the three-month war is not finalized. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-war-negotiations/33777713.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-war-negotiations/33777713.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:15:58 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East Iran has declared a halt to strikes against Israel, framing the pause as a completed operation. The move came shortly after US President Donald Trump, whom analysts say is keen on a peace deal with Iran, posted on social media that both sides were seeking an immediate cease-fire. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-attacks-pause-trump-deal/33775868.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-attacks-pause-trump-deal/33775868.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:53:06 +0200 News AnalysisIranThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East Iran launched ballistic missiles at northern Israel on June 7, describing the attack as retaliation for Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Israel responded with a "large-scale strike" on Iran's strategic defense systems. US President Donald Trump urged both sides to avoid further escalation. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-exchange-fresh-strikes/33775841.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-exchange-fresh-strikes/33775841.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:55:51 +0200 IranMiddle East The Israeli military said its forces targeted Iranian regime sites early on June 8 in retaliation for Tehran's latest attacks on Israel and shortly after US President Donald Trump said he would tell Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to conduct such strikes. https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-attack-trump-netanyahu-ceasefire-retaliation/33775004.html https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-attack-trump-netanyahu-ceasefire-retaliation/33775004.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 03:52:50 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East RFE/RL spoke with Lisa Gable, a former US ambassador who served during the George W. Bush administration and is now the chairwoman of World In 2050, about the prospects for diplomacy with Iran, the challenges of verification, and the broader geopolitical stakes of the current conflict. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-negotiations-promises-ambassador-lisa-gable/33773278.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-negotiations-promises-ambassador-lisa-gable/33773278.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:47:38 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East From Ukraine to Tehran, asymmetric warfare is redefining the modern battlefield. Superiority is no longer measured solely by jets and naval fleets, but by inexpensive unmanned drones. https://www.rferl.org/a/drones-iran-ukraine-russia-houthis-hezbollah/33772693.html https://www.rferl.org/a/drones-iran-ukraine-russia-houthis-hezbollah/33772693.html Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:52:16 +0200 IranFeaturesRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East